2008 HHR - VERY impressed

[giagastormer]

My neighbors recently purchased a "Burnt Orange" 2008 HHR, with color door handles as the only option.

My honda is out of commission for a week, so I needed a ride up to school, and to order parts for my Accord.

WOW, what a nice ride, literally. The HHR felt much more "solid" than my stepmother's 2007 (loaded) Grand Prix, and the interior had a much more luxurious feel. The HHR actually had LESS road/tire noise than the Grand Prix, and you didn't feel pot holes quiver the body structure, as in the Grand Prix. Everything was put together solid, and there were nice door inserts that consisted of soft touch materials. It felt very nice on my elbow.

I loved the layout of the dashboard, the materials were of very high quality, although they didn't have any softness to them, to me the grain/layout was very luxurious for the class the HHR is in. And there was a very luxurious woven headliner, which I believe is found in most new GM vehicles. There was loads of room behind the front seats, and speaking of the seats, they were extremely comfortable (5'9" 175 lbs for me), and the material was of very high quality.

Not only that, they were averaging 23.8 mpg, pure city driving. Granted, it was an older guy, but regardless that's pretty impressive.

Way to go GM. This is 10x nicer than the 2008 Escape I road down to Florida in, that thing was a joke. I can't believe Ford can get away selling vehicles with such cheap interiors. Blah.

[GMC-70]

Yes--I have a base level HHR with the 2.2 and the 5spd. It's a solid car and can haul a variety of items including 8ft dimensional building material with the gate closed. After living with the HHR for 8 months I can honestley say I have zero complaints. It averages between 27 and 33 mpg with mixed driving. About the only annoyance is lack of visabitly when you are the first one at a stoplight--you need to scrouch down in order to see the light.

[tirediron]

I have an 07 and totally love it!
44,000 Miles, original tires, brakes, and most importanly, zero problems! Literally ZERO! I actually called my bud at the Chevy store to do a "fix whatever is gonna go wrong before I run out of warranty" call, he told me they would, but they have never had a problem with these cars.

Been a great car. I get 33+ MPG on Straight highway trips, and average 28.5 with the AC on typically. Also can carry about anything I need inside at anytime.

Between my wife's G6 and this, I couldnt be happier with my 2 GM cars in the fleet!

[giagastormer]

Originally Posted by GMC-70

Yes--I have a base level HHR with the 2.2 and the 5spd. It's a solid car and can haul a variety of items including 8ft dimensional building material with the gate closed. After living with the HHR for 8 months I can honestley say I have zero complaints. It averages between 27 and 33 mpg with mixed driving. About the only annoyance is lack of visabitly when you are the first one at a stoplight--you need to scrouch down in order to see the light.

I noticed the same thing at a stoplight, no big deal though. Oh, his was an auto, forgot to mention.

[baby-vortec2900]

My dad got his 07 HHR LT the same day that I got my Colorado and he absolutely loves his too. He gets around 30mpg in about 60/40 highway/city driving, and he loves to use the turbocharger in the 2.4L as much as possible. It fits him well( 6' ) but I must say that it is a bit cramped for me but at 6'5'', finding a car( especially a compact) that I can fit in without stooping would be tough. It has great power, it is really refined, and the room is amazing for a car of its size. The HHR has been a solid addition to the lineup and I hope GM keeps it around

[Buick61]

It's a nice little car, but Hencho en Mexico means no sale to me.

[eurohazard]

Have any of you HHR guys driven or ridden in a PT Cruiser? The reason I ask is, I dorve a PT, and it felt claustrophobic. I was wondering if the HHR had the same feeling to it. I sort of doubt it, as there seems to be more room......

I was really excited when the turbo PT Cruiser came out, like I said only to find I wouldn't be able to live with it. The HHR turbo sounds very enticing too, and even more so actually!

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

Have any of you HHR guys driven or ridden in a PT Cruiser? The reason I ask is, I dorve a PT, and it felt claustrophobic. I was wondering if the HHR had the same feeling to it. I sort of doubt it, as there seems to be more room......

I was really excited when the turbo PT Cruiser came out, like I said only to find I wouldn't be able to live with it. The HHR turbo sounds very enticing too, and even more so actually!

Driven in both extensively. Yes, same feeling. Actually, I think the PT Cruiser feels a little more open in the front.

[baby-vortec2900]

Originally Posted by Buick61

Driven in both extensively. Yes, same feeling. Actually, I think the PT Cruiser feels a little more open in the front.

Not what I would have guessed simply eye balling the two( I have never driven a PT Cruiser ) but can't say as I am surprised. The high seating position is what I don't understand and that is what crowds the interior the most. To be named the 'Heritage High Roof' you would assume it would have a more or less 'high roof' but the high seating position makes it seem like you are at the ceiling. It would seem like to me that going with a more traditional low seating position would enhance the space( or at least percieved space )

I don't know though, it could be just me as I am 6'5'' trying to drive a compact car

[Edaw 0]

I have an '06 and other than getting the transmission module updated while under warranty, no issues here. I love this thing! It has a bit over 13K now, I live really close to work, gets about 23mpg city and low 30's on the highway.

Originally Posted by eurohazard

Have any of you HHR guys driven or ridden in a PT Cruiser? The reason I ask is, I dorve a PT, and it felt claustrophobic. I was wondering if the HHR had the same feeling to it. I sort of doubt it, as there seems to be more room......

Seat too low? Never drove a PT, but with the HHR's seat as low as it can go it does feel... enclosed. I spent about a month trying to find the right height.

[zabolots]

I just wish the SS model didn't have to neuter the turbo engine when mated to the auto trans.

[kodos78]

I've had my HHR SS for about 3 weeks now (1,500 miles!!!?). I love it, the rear seats are not so comfortable, but I don't care. I've been having a blast with launch control and no lift shift and the handling in Competitive Mode. It handles like a go kart. I get 25mpg combined city/highway (so far). I can haul lots of stuff in it compared to a standard hatch, and it looks so darn cool. GM should take a cue from MINI and offer "custom" paint jobs from the factory. So many people would love to have a flame job that came from the factory and would probably pay $1,000 for the option. It could look like a custom rod with a few mods.

I got the 5 speed. GM shouldn't have called the Auto version an "SS", only because they neutered it to the point that there is a significant performance gap between the two.

[caddycruiser]

I ALMOST bought one too. Originally wanted some kind of a small wagon or hatch with a 4-cyl, and the HHR hit the spot perfectly. I was very impressed on my test drive and even in a 2.2L model to boot, as I didn't have the need for more grunt by what I felt that day. And as said, extremely well put together and quiet.

Then I ended up with a G6, hah. But the HHR is a terrific little package. Like a Cobalt wagon it is, but with much more interesting styling.

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by kodos78

I got the 5 speed. GM shouldn't have called the Auto version an "SS", only because they neutered it to the point that there is a significant performance gap between the two.

I am surprised GM didn't have a better auto transmission for this car, it's sad too I think it's a cool little car. I see them every day now. I checked the Chevy website and according the the build section you only lose 10 HP (250 HP), so thats not too bad for such a small car.

[autofan]

I love the packaging of the HHR, the fuel economy and even the interior styling, but just can't hack the overly retro exterior. I so wish GM would offer this package in a more contemporary wrapper!